Composite Sample Prep Technician

AV; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment, based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, seeks a Composite Sample Prep Technician to join the Materials and Processing Team. The role collaborates with material scientists and engineers to characterize ceramic and polymer matrix composites, including grinding and polishing of samples.

The position emphasizes laboratory safety, accurate reporting, and hands-on testing using SEM, XRD, and optical profilometry, with a focus on quality control of synthesized materials and adherence

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• BS in Materials Science or Mechanical Engineering, or an associate degree with 1–2 years of laboratory experience.
• Ability to follow written SOPs and verbal instructions.
• Provide technical written reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong time management skills.

Responsibilities

• General laboratory support and housekeeping.
• Prepare samples for SEM, XRD, and Optical Profilometry analysis.
• Follow employee health and safety requirements.
• Quality control of scaled synthesized materials.
• Duties include sample prep and grinding/polishing of composites.

Skills

Written reports

Communication skills

Time management

SOP follow-through

Laboratory safety

Education

BS in Materials Science or Mechanical Engineering

Associate degree + 1–2 years lab experience

Job description

Job Description

AV is seeking a Composite Sample Prep Technician as a member of the Materials and Processing Team in the Air Force Research Lab located on the Wright Patterson Air Force Base. This position will work closely with material scientists and mechanical engineers for the characterization of composite materials including ceramic and polymer matrix composites.

Worker Type

Regular

Duties

Duties includes sample prep (including griding and polishing) of composites for sample analysis for the Materials and Processing Research team. Characterization techniques includes scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and optical profilometry. Experience in composite layup fabrication is a plus. Applicants should have some comfortability working in chemical laboratory settings and industrial or manufacturing spaces. Work will primarily occur during M-F during regular business hours.

Primary Responsibilities

• General Laboratory Support/Housekeeping
• Preparing samples for and conducting SEM, XRD, and Optical Profilometry analysis
• Following Employee Health and Safety Requirements
• Quality control of scaled synthesized materials

Required Qualifications

• This position requires U.S. Citizenship
• B.S. in a material science mechanical engineer or an associate’s degree with 1-2 Years Experience Working in a Laboratory.
• Ability to Follow written standard operating procedures and Verbal Instructions
• Provide technical written reports
• Strong Written and Verbal Communication Skills
• Strong Time Management Skills

Desired Qualities

• Experience in sample prep and conducting SEM, XRD, and Optical Profilometry
• Composite layup experience such as hand layup, prepreg layup, and vacuum bagging is a plus.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A "U.S. person" according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR

• 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.